Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is an underlying immunodeficient condition which often leads to various kinds of pulmonary diseases. We have analyzed 35 consecutive patients (18 male, 17 female) with ATL to see to what extent pulmonary complications were involved at the time of diagnosis. Over one-third presented with respiratory symptoms and 14 (40%) patients had significant findings on chest radiographs on the first admission in which reticulo-nodular shadows were predominant in 10 patients, suggesting that overt ATL is preceded by interstitial pulmonary disease. In addition, bacterial pneumonia and pneumocystosis were experienced in over two-thirds of the patients during the clinical course, and more than half of the patients subsequently died of pulmonary complications suggesting that early institution of diagnostic procedures and treatment for pulmonary conditions is needed in ATL patients.

Keywords:
Adult T-cell leukemia, Human T-cell leukemia virus type I, Interstitial pneumonia
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© 1993 S. Karger AG, Basel
1993
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